Ways to Give: Our annual list of groups and organizations looking for assistance during the holiday season

FamiliesAmerican Cancer Society Program, 728 134th St. SW. Suite 101, Everett, 98204. The program assists cancer patients and their families with transportation to and from treatment facilities. Volunteers donate time and resources to take patients to treatment appointments and return them to their homes. Needs include gas cards and more volunteer drivers. Call 425-322-1140 for more information.American Red Cross, Snohomish County Chapter, 2530 Lombard Ave., Everett, 98201. Red Cross provides shelter, food and water for disaster victims; health and safety classes; and emergency communication for military personnel and their families. It needs financial donations and volunteers who want to help create a more prepared and safe community in Snohomish County. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call 425-252-4103.AIDS Project Snohomish County is a nonprofit that supports organizations providing education and care services to populations most affected by HIV and AIDS. To support this volunteer organization, call 360-659-2931 or mail to 3616 Colby Ave., P.M.B. 301, Everett, 98201.The Arc of Snohomish County provides support to people with developmental disabilities and their families through a variety of programs. For more information, call 425-258-2459 or mail donations to P.O. Box 13177, Everett, 98206.Compass Health, 4526 Federal Ave., Everett, provides behavioral health programs to adults, underprivileged children and low-income families in Snohomish, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. It needs donations of money or gift cards to purchase food and holiday gifts to the children and families it serves. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact 425-349-8415 for more information.The Everett Gospel Mission is a place where people come for emergency shelter and services that go along with meeting basic needs. The group needs gift certificates or donations for children's and adults' holiday gifts such as dolls, CD players, footballs, sweatshirts, perfume and perishable and nonperishable holiday foods. For more information, call Kelly Grayson at 425-252-1297, ext. 234, or e-mail kgrayson@egmission.org. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 423, Everett, 98206.Everett Mall Tree of Giving: The Mount Baker Council Boy Scouts of America, Fluke Corporation and the Everett Mall provide Christmas gifts to residents in local nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and specialized senior residences. Tags bearing the name and holiday wish will be decorated on the "gift trees." To be the "secret Santa," select a tag, purchase that gift and return it (wrapped or unwrapped) to the large tree in the courtyard in front of Mervyn's. Gifts of cash (to purchase wrapping paper, etc.) may be made to the Mount Baker Council, BSA. The tree will go up on Thanksgiving. Gifts will be wrapped and sorted on the evening of Dec. 21.Hands For Peacemaking, 1818 Holbrook Ave., Everett, 98203, builds schools and water systems and provides job training to Mayan villagers in rural Guatemala. It targets projects that aid primarily widows and children. It needs funds to purchase embroidery kits for the women and tools for vocational training. For more information, call 425-348-3030.Heartbeat provides advocacy and training to foster parents in Snohomish County. It needs donations of new socks for children (toddlers to teens), donations of new small items or coupons for free services to use as door prizes for the foster parents meetings and training sessions. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. E-mail heartbeatffss@ aol.com, call 425-330-7097 or 360-657-3280, or mail to 13320 60th Drive NE, Marysville, 98270.Housing Hope, 5830 Evergreen Way, Everett, 98203, provides affordable housing and services for low-income and homeless residents of Snohomish County. It needs items for holiday food baskets such as nonperishable food, grocery gift certificates and holiday wrapping paper. It also needs items such as phone cards, personal hygiene items, gas cards, baby food, flashlights, diapers (size 3 through 5) and brooms. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop-off days for holiday donations are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at the Learning Center, 5908 Evergreen Way. Call 425-347-6556Marysville Fire District is organizing Operation Marysville Community Christmas 2006 Volunteer Opportunities, a coalition of community members who meet during the holiday season to coordinate volunteer opportunities to reach local families in need of food, necessities and toys for the holidays. It needs toys, gift cards, cash to purchase toys, wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, tape, stocking stuffers and candy for stockings. Volunteers are needed on the afternoon of Nov. 19 for sorting food and making up holiday boxes, Dec. 15-20 for setting up the "toy store," Dec. 21-23 for toy distribution and cleanup. Contact OMCC coordinator Lillie Lein at 360-658-1054 or lillie.lein@ comcast.net.Matthew House, 16207 177th Ave. SE, Monroe, is an ecumenical house for children and families with a parent in jail. It provides food, clothes, shelter, and family van service to various prisons within the state. It needs financial support as well as children's coats, gloves, scarves, hats and mittens, canned food and food baskets for the holidays and Christmas gifts for children. To donate, send checks to P.O. Box 201, Monroe, 98272. For more information, call 360-794-8720 or go to www. matthewhousemonroe.org.MS Helping Hands, 409 Howell Way, Edmonds, an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides services for people with multiple sclerosis, is looking for volunteers. Retirees who have electrical, mechanical, marketing and leadership skills are especially needed. The MS Helping Hands Donor Closet recycles and supplies mobility equipment and other medical equipment to those in need. For more information or to donate or volunteer, go to www.mshelp.org or call 425-712-1807. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.Pathways for Women YWCA's Adopt-A-Family is helping 80 low-income families in need of food for Thanksgiving dinner and gifts for Christmas. Those who wish to help can "adopt" a family and purchase holiday gifts for each family member, hold a toy drive or giving tree, or donate money or grocery store gift certificates. Gifts will be collected at Pathways for Women YWCA, 6027 208th St. SW, Lynnwood, or at the Everett Regional Center, 3301 Broadway, Everett. Call Luanne Kunz at 425-258-2766, ext.150.Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, 2731 Wetmore Ave., Suite 500, Everett, 98201. The agency, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, needs donations of baby monitors, gift certificates to stores with pharmacies, gifts of cemetery plots, gift certificates for the children's bereavement program, prepaid cremation certificates, soft materials for patient pillows, sponsorships for children to Camp Erin, activity materials for the camp and more. For specifics and information, call 425-261-4800.St. Vincent de Paul, 6424 Broadway, Everett, is a Catholic lay organization that assists the poor and disadvantaged of Snohomish County. The organization assists with rent, clothing, furniture and food. There are more than 300 volunteers who make home visits to the clients. It needs toys for all ages as well as donations of all items, which can be dropped off at any of its stores or can be picked up by calling 425-355-3504, ext. 2. For more information, contact Daria Roche at 425-513-6052.Snohomish County Project Self-Sufficiency, 3000 Rockefeller, M/S 305, Everett, helps low-income parents who are in the process of getting the skills they need to support the families. Its holiday Adopt-A-Family Program matches community donors anonymously with families in need of holiday gifts and food. Donors are provided with a family's wish list so they can buy gifts and bring them to a distribution site where they are given to that family. Donors may also give cash or checks that will be used to provide gifts or food. Call 425-388-7231.Snohomish County Salvation Army, 2525 Rucker Ave., Everett. The Salvation Army's holiday service program needs support for its annual Adopt a Family and Angel Tree programs. The Adopt a Family program targets families in need by providing gifts for their children as well as food for a holiday dinner. The Angel Tree program provides donors an Angel Tag gift request representing the names of the children. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information about Adopt a Family, contact Linda Smith at 425-259-8129. Angel Tree, Capt. Mary Libby at 425-259-8129.Snohomish County Center for Battered Women provides help to domestic violence victims and their children. The organization's New & Again Thrift Shoppe, 3116 Rucker Ave., Everett, provides free clothing, furniture and household items to the victims and children. Volunteer opportunities and a wish list of holiday items are available online at www.snococbw.org. Call Antigone Killingstand at 425-259-2827, ext. 12; Vicci Hilty at 425-259-2827, ext. 21.South Everett Neighborhood Center, 6135 Fleming St., Everett, is a nonprofit resource and family support center of Lutheran Community Services Northwest. It needs nonperishable food, toys, new board games for teens and cash for holiday gifts. It also needs volunteers to help assemble and deliver holiday baskets and toys. Call 425-355-6005.United Way of Snohomish County is a nonprofit that supports 110 human service programs. To volunteer, call 425-921-3459 or go to www.uwsc.org.Volunteers of America Western Washington has provided holiday meals for more than 50 years. Ways to help are through food and fund donations, by holding a food drive, by adopting a family through the Holiday Basket Bureau, by volunteering to distribute holiday food Dec. 11-22, or by bringing $5 and two cans of food to enjoy "A Christmas Spectacular" at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Everett Historic Theatre. Call Patricia Leach at 425.259.3101, ext. 13021; e-mail pleach@ voaww.org; or go to www.voaww.org.Whidbey Island Share a Home is a nonprofit providing affordable housing using existing homes. Homeowners in the program often are single parents or senior citizens. Donations to the program may be sent to P.O. Box 213, Freeland, 98249. For more information, call 800-864-7549 for go to www.whidbeywish. org.SeniorsThe Camano Senior and Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island, 98282, provides programs, services and activities for the seniors, the disabled, youths and families of Camano Island and surrounding communities. The Center needs volunteer and financial support for programs such as Meals on Wheels, Congregate Meals, Foot Care Clinic, Health Seminars, Volunteer Chore Program and general operational costs. For more information contact Laurie at 360-387-0222.Senior Services of Snohomish County is a nonprofit serving more than 35,000 seniors, family caregivers and people with disabilities through transportation, nutrition, housing and social services. Cash donations are especially needed for Meals on Wheels. Give the gift of independence this holiday season by mailing a tax-deductible donation to Senior Services of Snohomish County, 8225 44th Ave. W., Suite O, Mukilteo, WA 98275-2811, or go to www.sssc.org. Call 425-290-1262.College studentsEdmonds Community College Foundation, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, 98036, provides scholarships for students; support for the college, its faculty, staff and facilities; and advocacy for the college and its mission. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash and vehicle donations needed. For more information, call 425-640-1274or go to http://foundation. edcc.edu.Everett Community College Foundation Services, 2000 Tower St., Everett, 98201. The EvCC Foundation teams up with the community to provide more than $100,000 in scholarships to EvCC students annually, to support faculty and staff development projects, and to buy equipment for classrooms. It needs donations to the student scholarship fund, contributions for the student emergency fund and in-kind donations of equipment. Call 425-388-9434 for more information.Children and teensArlington Kid's Kloset: The Old Arlington High School, 135 S. French Ave., Box C, Arlington, 98223, provides free clothing and school supplies to students enrolled in the Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington school districts who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. It needs volunteers to sort, launder, iron and display clothing. The program also needs new socks, underwear, shoes, hygiene articles, backpacks, school supplies, and new or used other clothing (for preschool through high school) and books. Call 360-435-4875 for more information.The Binky Patrol is a nonprofit that makes quilts for babies, children and teens who are in need of comfort. The organization delivers to hospitals, foster care agencies, learning centers and other agencies throughout Snohomish County. It needs money to purchase supplies or cotton fabrics, flannel, fleece, thread, batting, yarn for afghans and stocking hats, and voluntary help in making the quilts. For more information call 360-659-7198.Christmas House, located this year at the Everett Boys & Girls Club gymnasium, 2316 12th St., Everett, provides Christmas gifts to low-income Snohomish County families with children through age 18. Needs include new toys, coats, hats and gloves, and teen gifts such as electronic products and sporting goods. Cash donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 717, Everett, 98206. Volunteers also are needed. The store will be open Dec. 8, 9, 12-16 and 19-23. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays. For places to drop off toys and clothing, or to volunteer, call 425-338-2273 or go to www.christmas-house.org. In addition, Lamoureux Real Estate is collecting new, unwrapped toys and teddy bears as well as money to benefit the Christmas House. Donations are being accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1904 Wetmore Ave., Everett, through Dec. 15. Call 425-259-1768.Clothes for Kids, 16752 52nd Ave. W., Suite B, Lynnwood, 98037, offers free clothing to referred low-income children who are enrolled in the Edmonds School District and Snohomish County Head Start, as well as families with emergency referrals because of sudden relocation or fire. Needs volunteers. Donations of clothing in children's and adults' sizes are needed, including new slippers, nightwear, socks, underwear, hats, gloves, scarves, shoes and personal care items. Gently used clean children's clothes (age from infant through adult) and shoes are accepted. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 425-431-7285.Cocoon House, 2929 Pine St., Everett, 98201,focuses on youth homelessness with the goal of sheltering homeless, runaway and disconnected youth. The nonprofit needs (only new items) towels, hand towels and washcloths, twin bed-sheet sets, microwave ovens, socks, underwear (briefs and boxers), AA batteries, scrapbooks and supplies, pay-as-you-go cell phones, McDonald's gift certificates, movie passes, bus passes, and Safeway gift cards. Call 425-259-3342.Deaconess Children's Services, 4708 Dogwood Drive, Everett. Its holiday Adopt-A-Family program matches families in need with individuals and groups who donate gifts, cash or gift certificates. For gift sponsorship, call Naomi Demarest at 425-259-0146, ext. 121, or e-mail ndemarest@ deaconesschildren.org. Cash donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 2629, Everett, 98213. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evening. Weekend drop off can be scheduled.Everett High School Leadership Class has scheduled a silent auction for 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the school gymnasium. All proceeds will be donated to Mark Edmondson and his family as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Donations offered before Nov. 27 are preferable. Call 425-385-4414 for more information or contact Marci Jensen at Everett High School, 425-385-4400.Kids Dream of Snohomish is a nonprofit that helps abused and neglected children in the county. Community donations of winter gloves, hats, coats and heavyweight clothing for infants to teens are being collected through Dec. 15. at Dow Insurance Agency (Allstate), 122 State Ave., Marysville, 98270. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Call 425-344-7663.Little Red School House, 14 E. Casino Road, Everett, and 3210 200th Place SW, Lynnwood, needs help for children with special needs. The organization is looking for volunteers to decorate for Christmas around Dec. 1, and then take down the decorations in early January. Items needed for Little Red School House programs are blowing bubbles, wrapping paper and bows, play dough, garlands, red and white construction paper, washable markers, books and puzzles for up to age 5, and gift cards. For more information, call 425-775-6070.Operation Lookout, National Center for Missing Youths, 6320 Evergreen Way, Suite 203, Everett, is a nonprofit that provides free services and referrals for families whose children leave before age 18. The agency needs cash. Call 800-566-5688 or 800-782-7335. To download posters, request free mailing labels featuring photos of missing children or learn of other ways to help, go to www.operationlookout.org.Project Linus, Snohomish County Chapter, provides quilts, blankets and afghan blankets for seriously ill and traumatized children. Volunteers are needed to make blankets or donate time at the group's work parties or its Make-A-Blanket Day. Blankets must be machine-washable, new, handmade and either quilted, tied, knitted or crocheted. The organization also needs fabric, batting, thread, yarn, cutting implements, sewing machines and cash. Donations can be dropped off at any Pacific Fabric Store. Call 425-252-4524 to schedule a pick-up.The Rotary Club of Monroe Foundation is building a baseball field for the Miracle League, a baseball program for children with special needs ranging from learning disabilities to severe disabilities. The field will comply with Americans With Disabilities Act guidelines. To donate to the Miracle League Field being built in Monroe, make a donation to the Rotary Club of Monroe Foundation, P.O. Box 293 Monroe, 98272. Please note if you'd like your donation to go toward program costs or field construction. Call Sue Skillen at 360-794-7977 or SueSkillen@ comcast.net for more information.Youthnet, 3301 Broadway, Suite 1001, Everett, 98201, provides social educational services to at-risk youth and their families. It offers programs such as family preservation, foster care, mentoring and independent living skills training. It needs gift sponsors for children from Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties for the holiday. Sponsors can select gifts from the wish list and donate the gift by Dec. 1. Donations will be accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 425-258-6153.Food banksBrier's Timberline Park: The holiday displays and annual food drive at Brier's Timberline Park neighborhood can be seen nightly beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the 3700 and 3800 blocks of 228th Place Southwest, Brier. Daily hours can be viewed on www.brierlights.org. The neighborhood collects cash and nonperishable food for the Lynnwood Food Bank; checks may be made out to the Lynnwood Food Bank. For more information call 425-776-9782.Food Lifeline, 1702 NE 150th St., Shoreline, 98155, is the food bank network of Western Washington, distributing food to more than 250 neighborhood food banks, meal programs and shelters, including 20 in Snohomish County. It needs donations of canned tuna, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned juices, and disposable diapers. To organize a food drive, contact Food Lifeline at 206-545-6600, ext. 229. Individuals can also make financial donations at www.foodlifeline.org or by mailing in a check.Granite Falls Food Bank accepts donations of nonperishable, canned or frozen food. Donations can be dropped off at 201 S. Granite Ave. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Monetary donations should be sent to Granite Falls Food Bank, P.O. Box 1211 Granite Falls, 98252. For more information call 360-691-6466 or 360-691-7000.Lynnwood Food Bank, 5320 176th St. SW, Lynnwood, 98037, serves residents in the following ZIP codes: 98036, 98037 and 98087. The food bank needs donations of nonperishable food and cash and checks made out to Lynnwood Food Bank, as well as volunteers to help pack and hand out food items. Donations are accepted 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Call to schedule any other drop-off, 425-745-1635.Maltby Food Bank, 21104 86th Ave. SE, provides food to families in the Maltby area. It needs food and toys for Christmas. Hours open for donations are 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. The food bank distributes food 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays.Northwest Harvest, a statewide hunger relief agency, needs donations of cash and food. Call 206-625-0755, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule a donation.Salt of the Earth Food Bank feeds approximately 5,000 people per month throughout Snohomish County in its eight food banks. The group serves low-income individuals, senior citizens, the disabled, homeless families and teens on the streets. It need turkeys; hams; nonperishable food items; cash; volunteers to sort food, help in the soup kitchen and make and deliver meals; and drivers to pick up and deliver the food to the food banks. For more information call Sandra Richard at 425-355-1042.Sky Valley Food Bank in Monroe is collecting turkeys and holiday foods or funds to cover the cost of turkeys and holiday foods in bulk to ensure families in need, senior citizens, children and individuals have plentiful food over the holidays. Donations can be made to the SVFB at P.O. Box 724, Monroe, 98272, or at the food bank from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday or 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays at 784 Village Way, Monroe. Call 360-794-7959.Sultan Food Bank, at 703 First St., Sultan, is an all-volunteer organization. The food bank is in need of donations of food, disposable diapers, toiletries, household goods, toys and other gift items. The organization also needs cash donations to cover bulk food purchases and operating expenses. Volunteer drivers are needed to work a regular schedule. Checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 1181, Sultan, 98294. Messages can be left at 360-793-8609 or 360-799-0861. The food bank is open 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 a.m. to noon Fridays.AnimalsBats Northwest, P.O. Box 3026, Lynnwood, 98046, is a nonprofit bat advocate group that offers educational bat talks and bat houses for sale. It needs a volunteer woodworker to build rocket box bat houses. Contact the group at 206-256-0406.Humane Society at HappyPaws Farm, 19933 Old Burn Road, Arlington, needs volunteers as well as canned and dry dog food, foster homes, large noncolored dog biscuits, pet store and supermarket gift cards and cash. A drop-off donation will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Haggen's restaurant, 3711 88th St., Marysville. Donations can also be made any weekend afternoon at the shelter, or leave in bin outside the shelter anytime. Call 360-652-5844 or go to www.saveourdogs.com for more information. Mailing address is 8304 Wayne Ave., Stanwood, 98292.The NOAH Animal Adoption Center, 31300 Brandstrom Road, Stanwood, 98292, is dedicated to stopping the euthanasia of healthy dogs and cats by retrieving homeless pets from partner shelters. It needs volunteers, foster families, an anesthesia machine for neutering and spaying surgeries, electronic heating pads, gas cards, a laser printer and copier, collars, plastic folding tables, stamps, envelopes, copy paper, and cash. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 360-629-7055 for volunteer information and 360-629-7055 to become a foster family.Old Dog Haven provides foster homes for abandoned senior dogs. Old Dog Haven needs volunteers, fundraisers, gift cards for office supplies, gas cards for transportation of animals, urine-smell neutralizer, washable dog beds, dog leashes and collars, canned and dry dog food, flea treatment, and more. Mail to Old Dog Haven, PMB A4, 621 Highway 9 NE, Lake Stevens, 98258-9400, or call 360-653-0311.Progressive Animal Welfare Society, Companion Animal Shelter and Wildlife Center, 15305 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood, 98087. PAWS rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and places cats and dogs into new homes. It needs gift cards for pet supplies and building supplies, vehicle donations, KMR liquid, original vanilla Ensure, new cardboard pet carriers, a notebook computer (Pentium 3 or better), towels, sheets, fleece blankets and clear plastic roofing material. Call 425-787-2500, ext. 256.Purrfect Pals, a nonprofit cat shelter and sanctuary based in Smokey Point, helps more than 4,000 cats yearly through adoptions and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. Volunteers are needed to clean, socialize with cats and serve as adoption counselors. Always needed are old towels for bedding, high-quality cat food and washable cat toys. Donations may be brought in or mailed to 230 McRae Road NE, Arlington, 98223. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call 360-652-9611 or go to www.purrfectpals.org.Sarvey Wildlife Center, 13106 148th St. NE, Arlington, rehabilitates wild animals and provides educational programs. It needs liquid laundry and dish detergent, bleach, paper towels, rubber gloves, scrub brushes and sponges, heating pads, dry cat food, baby food, applesauce, peanut butter, raisins and honey. Contact 360-435-4817 for more information. Mail to P.O. Box 3590 Arlington, 98223.- Herald staff

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